Snapshots From Life

Chapter 11 - Comfort and Security

Ginny watched the rain fall outside the window from her seat on the couch on a dreary Saturday. It had been raining for what seemed like days now. Gwen had given the girls the weekend off seeing as they just played back-to-back matches on Thursday and Friday. Ginny never liked having back-to-back matches like that. It meant the girls didn't get a chance to rest or heal between matches. The worst was when the matches weren't even in the same city. Thankfully, this time both matches were in Wimbourne. Ginny reviewed the matches in her head as she wrapped her hands around her cup of morning tea. They won the first match but lost the second. The loss wasn't bad though, it was only by 100 points. The Wasps just took advantage of the fact that the Harpies were just plain tired. Road trips were always hard on the body. Ginny wasn't upset, the Harpies were already headed to the Championship Match, she was just relieved that she got some much-needed time off to spend with Harry. Without taking her gaze from the window she said, "Love, can you light a fire?"

Harry stood up from his armchair and took out his wand. In less than a second, there was a cozy, warm fire crackling in the fireplace. He walked over to Ginny and sat down next to her. Harry wrapped his arm around Ginny while she snuggled up to him with her head on his chest. Harry didn't have to be back to the Ministry until Tuesday and they both weren't due at the Burrow until tomorrow afternoon for Sunday dinner. This Sunday Charlie was coming to dinner. Ginny was looking forward to seeing her brother. She hadn't seen him in what seemed like ages. Since Charlie worked in Romina and she was usually with the girls when he did manage to come back, they rarely had the chance to catch up. The last time Ginny saw Charlie must have been Christmas, if not before that. Harry noticed Ginny's teacup was empty, "More tea?"

Ginny smiled, "Please."

Harry pointed his wand at Ginny's teacup and fill it. Ginny took a sip and said, "Thank you."

Even though it was close to mid-morning both Harry and Ginny were still dressed in their pajamas. Ginny wore a lovely pale pink set that Harry had picked up for her on a recent trip to the Lake District. They were fluffy, warm, and cozy. They were the perfect thing to wear on a rainy, dreary day like today. Harry wore a sky-blue cotton set that Ginny had bought him last year for Christmas. Ginny loved days like this. Sitting with Harry just doing nothing in particular was always a joy. They both worked so hard and was always in such a rush, days like this were tough to come by. A lazy day was always welcomed when they both found the time for it. Ginny found much comfort in this. Just sitting snuggled up next to Harry listening to the rain and watching the fire was a welcomed distraction from her everyday hustle and bustle life.

Ginny sipped her tea while she looked up at Harry through her eyelashes. She followed his jaw line and examined every line around his lips and every pore in his face. She looked up at his beautiful emerald green eyes that shone so bright every time Harry looked at her. Ginny drained her cup and reached over to place it on the coffee table. As she got comfortable again, she said, "Thank you again for the pajamas. They're so soft. They feel wonderful. It's almost like I'm wrapped up in a cloud."

Harry smiled at Ginny, "You're welcome. I thought you would like them."

Harry reached for the Daily Prophet and started reading. After a couple of minutes, he said, "Oh wow, listen to this."

Ginny closed her eyes has she listened to Harry read a news story about some bloke who was trying to get the Ministry to change some law about something. There was a fist fight or something like that. She really didn't pay much attention to the story. Ginny just sat and listened to Harry's voice. She loved hearing his voice. Harry always spoke with a measured calmness even in desperate times. Harry was always a source of comfort and security for Ginny. No matter what was going on, Harry was almost always calm and collective, especially when she was frantic. He usually managed to get Ginny to stop and take a deep breath to calm down. The only times that Harry wasn't calm, cool, and collected was when words didn't get the job done and action was required. He has always supported her in every way. Even though Ginny was an accomplished witch and could take care of herself, Harry made her feel safe. She couldn't quite explain it. There was a gentleness to his touch too. Even in the throes of passion, there was a tenderness to him that nobody else saw. Harry always made Ginny feel loved and special. He always made her feel like she could take on the world and actually win. Harry made everybody feel that way, always.

Once Harry was done reading the paper, Ginny curled up even closer to him. She said, "The championship match is in another week."

Harry nodded as he wrapped his arms around Ginny and asked, "Are you thinking about taking our holiday afterwards?"

Ginny replied, "Yes I am. Where would you like to go?" With a chuckled she added, "And please don't say the Burrow. Staying with my parents for a week is no vacation."

Harry smiled as he said in a childish, whiny voice, "But it would be so much fun! Please!?" Ginny grabbed a throw pillow and playfully hit Harry with it. Harry laughed, "Seriously I'm not sure. Maybe Scotland?"

Ginny sat up, "Scotland sounds good. Maybe the Highlands?"

Harry looked thoughtful for moment, "I like that idea. When I go to the office on Tuesday, I'll talk to Robards about getting the time off. Will a week be enough?"

Ginny smiled, "A week will work. We could do some hiking and camping in mountains." Ginny knew she was pushing her luck a bit with the camping. Harry had his fill of camping when he, Ron, and Hermione were on the run. Every now and then Ginny pushed him out of his comfort zone to help him face things from his experience dealing with Voldemort. If Harry really resisted, she let it go and revisited it another time. Usually, Harry went along with it because he knew that Ginny was only trying to help him.

Ginny still didn't like that he sometimes got lost in his own head from time to time. Harry had gotten much better over the years talking about his experiences and how he felt. When everything calmed down after he defeated Voldemort, sometimes he didn't speak for hours at a time, and he would just stare at nothing. It was worse than pulling teeth to get Harry to talk. Slowly but surely, Ginny coaxed things from him. No matter what was going on inside his head, Harry was always there for Ginny when she needed him. No matter what.

Harry replied, "You really want to go camping?"

Ginny nodded, "Yes I do."

Harry thought about it for a few minutes. Ginny watched his internal debate. She watched Harry weigh it all out for himself. Finally, Harry nodded, "Ok. We'll go camping."

Ginny smiled, "Now that that's settle..." Ginny leaned into Harry and gave him a kiss, "I think I need some more tea."

Harry smiled.